Never forget that there is joy everywhere.

I struggled to find the right words for the title of the book review and settled on transformative fairy tales plus. Each story leaves the reader with a seed that can germinate if it is nurtured. It is a magical blend of short stories, poems, and relief block print illustrations. If I were to be asked to choose any favorite one of any offering in it, it would be like trying to choose a favorite gem from a tiara. Each jewel works together to build a priceless whole. It is apparent that every aspect of the creation of this book has been meticulously considered and made manifest.

The physical aspects must be mentioned. It is 7.5” wide and 9.25” tall, which makes it easy to hold while reading. The sturdy paper cover and the thick pages give it substance beyond the content. It feels real, and in the world we exist in today, real is important. It also acts as an anchor as one’s mind travels in the stories.

I counted 75 illustrations on the 116 pages. The relief block prints vary from quarter-sized to borders to full-page. Many of them are multi-colored. They include mostly flora and fauna — some not of this world — as well as architecture that is familiar and unfamiliar. The artwork elevates the book to one of superior quality.

In the preface, Anne describes her stories as “under the umbrella of speculative fiction” and I must concur. Many of the stories are human-centered but set in an altered reality that makes them feel familiar, yet fresh, like walking in two realms. In each one, the reader is gently led into a teaching of how one may find and choose joy along the sometimes bumpy path each of us walks. It cannot be stressed enough how inspiring and restorative these stories are.

Topics include:
a librarian looking for living words
a post-apocalyptic prisoner who is given hope
a sentient plant on a quest
a special love potion
tiny people who live in raindrops
astronauts studying a new planet
friendly ghosts
peacemakers across galaxies
mourning the dead
dispossessed familiars
how to see auras

There are 10 poems in the book that offer thoughtful punctuation between the art and the stories. Their rich imagery makes the mind wander to beautiful places.

The dedication page gives thanks, “with enormous gratitude to all my Kickstarter Backers.” It is obvious to me that “Bittersweetness & Light” is a labor of love and a gift to the world. Thank you, Anne.

To learn more about Anne and her work, please check out her website at NydamPrints.com